Melasma

Melasma is a darkening of the skin on the cheeks, forehead, nose or chin. It can also appear on other sun exposed areas such as the forearms and neck. To see how deeply the melasma penetrates the skin, your dermatologist may look at your skin under a device called a Wood’s light.

Sometimes melasma can look like another skin condition. To be certain of the diagnosis your dermatologist may need to do a small skin biopsy.

Melasma can fade on its own. This happens when a trigger is causing the melasma, such as a pregnancy or birth control pills. When the woman delivers the baby or stops taking the birth control pills, melasma can fade.

Some people, however, have melasma for years — or even a lifetime. If the melasma does not go away or a woman wants to keep taking birth control pills, melasma treatments are available. These include topical products such as bleaching creams (hydroquinones) in either an over the counter or prescription strength, retinoids and corticosteroids. Sometimes a medicine contains all 3 of these medicines in 1 cream.

Chemical peels can also be beneficial in lightening or removing excess pigmentation on the skin. At Morristown Dermatology your dermatologist can recommend a Glycolic or a Jessner’s peel to treat your Melasma.